Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula torridus) - female

27 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica This was the most common small (they are about 3" long) hummingbird around the lodge and one of the most challenging to photograph. This is one of the few photos I was able to get which shows the whole head. Most photos show the bird's head buried in the feeder (see next photo). There are two small hummingbirds in the genus Selasphorus at the lodge, the other is the Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla). Females of the two are very similar, although the Scintillant averages more orange on its tail and flanks. Three subspecies of Volcano Hummingbird are recognized, based partly on the gorget color of the males. As far as I know the female races are virtually indistinguishable from each other. I believe the ones at Savegre are S. f. torridus sometimes called the Heliotrope-throated Hummingbird. It is the southernmost subspecies and has been treated as a separate species by some authors. This species prefers edges and open county and has benefited from deforestation. It is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter) --